Hero Hack: Reversing Heroes and Raising Harem-Chapter 249: Ether Hits Different Here

Zain stood still in front of the vault, the air humming faintly around him.

He narrowed his eyes and took a slow breath in.

Something about this place... it was off. No—better.

He glanced at his hand.

The ether around his fingers pulsed brighter than before.

"...Stronger," he muttered.

Velra turned slightly. "Hm?"

Zain didn’t answer right away.

He looked up at the ceiling, then closed his eyes for a moment.

In his head, memories stirred.

Back in my old world...

He remembered sitting on cold stone, drawing in qi through meditation.

Mountains, storms, battlefields—wherever the qi was thicker, his power would surge.

He’d walked through forests that breathed energy and ruined cities that felt dead.

The air mattered.

Even here in this new world—without cultivators, without sects—he could still feel it.

They don’t call it qi. Maybe it’s mana. Or aura. Or whatever this "ether" is.

He opened his eyes again.

"But it’s the same," he said quietly. "Energy in the air."

Velra tilted her head. "Master?"

Zain turned toward her, hands relaxed at his sides.

"The air in A-Zone," he said. "It has more ether, doesn’t it?"

Velra blinked.

Zain stepped forward.

"That’s why I feel better. Not just the place... the atmosphere itself."

Velra’s eyes widened. She stared at him for a second, then laughed softly.

"Wow... Master, to think you’d guess it like that."

Zain raised an eyebrow. "So I’m right?"

Velra nodded. "Yes. It’s true. A-Zone has richer, higher-quality ether."

"It flows through the entire region—sky, stone, even the buildings here absorb and circulate it."

Zain smirked. "Makes sense why I’m sharp again."

Velra walked over, raising her hands.

"In B-Zone, ether is thinner. That’s why only some people awaken classes."

"But in A-Zone? Almost everyone has one. The ether alone helps them grow faster."

Zain turned and glanced back at the path they’d come from.

"So even though this place is a dump... it’s still better?"

Velra nodded. "Even this lab."

"Trash compared to A-Zone cities—but the air here still carries more ether than B-Zone’s cleanest towers."

Zain chuckled. "Guess that explains it."

"Still..." Velra crossed her arms, smiling.

"To think Master noticed just by walking in—"

"Just a lucky guess," Zain said with a shrug.

The vault door let out a faint hum.

Zain turned toward it again, cracking his knuckles. "Enough talk. Let’s open it."

Velra’s eyes lit up. "Want to rip it down together?"

Zain smiled. "No need. This one’s mine."

He stepped forward, placed both palms flat on the thick metal surface.

[Heavenly Demon Breathing]

Energy surged outward in black and red veins. The door vibrated, then shook violently.

[Heavenly Demon Ether]

The corrupted energy seeped into the mechanisms, breaking through the lock systems.

The air sparked—then the vault burst open, metal groaning as it split.

Inside, a cold mist poured out.

They both paused.

The room beyond wasn’t empty.

Something inside was breathing.

Zain’s eyes narrowed. "Looks like Syvarn did leave something behind after all."

Velra raised her hand, ready to fight.

"Let’s meet it, Master."

Zain moved in without hesitation.

"Yeah. Let’s finish what he started."

But as they reached the center of the chamber, Velra slowed.

She placed a hand on her chest, breathing in deep. freewebnøvel.coɱ

"Master," she said. "Can I take this one alone?"

Zain glanced back. "You sure?"

"I want to adjust to this ether." She clenched her fist.

"You’re already handling it. I need to catch up."

Zain nodded. "Alright. I’ll watch."

A growl echoed.

From the back of the vault, a hulking shape rose. Taller than both of them.

Skin peeled and half-metal. Glowing tubes pulsed along its spine.

The mask on its face hissed.

Red eyes snapped open.

The mutant roared.

Velra smirked. "Here we go."

She dashed in first, fast and low.

The mutant swung a long, blade-like arm down at her.

She flipped over it, landing behind its back.

[Velvet Demon Kick]

Her heel slammed into its spine, sending a pulse of poison ether through its body.

The creature staggered but didn’t fall. It turned, slashing wildly.

Velra ducked, slid under the next swing, and kicked upward again—straight into its jaw.

[Velvet Demon Ether] spread around her body, distorting the air.

The mutant growled louder. It opened its mouth and screamed.

[Neuro-Hijack Roar]

A psychic wave blasted outward.

Velra winced and stumbled, her vision shaking.

Zain narrowed his eyes from the sidelines. "Stay focused."

Velra blinked hard, then grinned. "I’m fine."

She exhaled.

[Velvet Demon Breathing]

The corrupted energy around her flared as she drew in the A-Zone ether.

It surged into her limbs, sharpening her speed.

She dashed left, circling the creature. Her zone activated.

[Velvet Demon Zone]

A faint pink mist wrapped around her body. The mutant’s movements slowed inside it.

It swung again, slower now. She sidestepped and countered.

[Velvet Demon Kick] to the side of the knee.

Then the ribs. Then a spinning roundhouse to the mask.

Cracks formed.

But the creature suddenly stopped. Its chest pulsed. The glow turned orange.

Zain’s eyes narrowed. "Velra—move!"

Too late.

[Overload Detonation]

The mutant’s core exploded outward in a close-range blast.

The force sent Velra flying back, slamming into a wall.

Zain stepped forward. "You good?"

Velra groaned and stood, brushing dust off her jacket. "Still standing."

The creature dropped to one knee, twitching.

Velra dashed forward again.

[Velvet Demon Breathing]

More ether surged into her.

She jumped, twisted in midair, and drove both legs down.

[Velvet Demon Kick]

She struck its neck twice, then again into its core.

The corrupted ether flooded the creature’s system.

Its body convulsed. Metal cracked. Flesh bubbled.

It collapsed.

Velra landed beside it, breathing steady.

Zain walked over. "Nice."

She smirked. "I needed that."

Zain glanced at the broken mutant. "Your control’s getting better."

Velra nodded. "This ether is wild... but it listens."

But then—

A low groan rumbled from the floor.

The mutant’s limbs twitched. Its spine arched.

The artificial core in its chest sparked violently, glowing once more.

Zain took a step back. "It’s not finished."

The thing pushed itself up, half its face torn, one leg shattered.

But it stood, shaking, growling, ether leaking from its wounds like smoke.

Velra cracked her neck and rolled her shoulders.

"I see," she said.

She stepped forward, eyes glowing.

"Then I’ll finish it again."

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